Ontario, a beautiful province full of diverse landscapes and natural wonders. Growing up, we knew it was “Ours to Discover” and yet, despite this invitation, staycations remained a road less travelled.
In 2020, necessity encouraged us to explore locally, changing not only our destination but our mindsets. We rediscovered the value of staying close to home and have slowly pivoted from chasing countries to chasing meaning, igniting the “Reawakening of Local Escapes.” This reawakening is more than just a travel trend – it’s a return to our roots. We are looking for a deeper connection to our homeland, choosing sustainability and locality. A place where luxury isn’t loud – it’s thoughtful. Where design, community, and the land itself converge to offer something rare: a way to feel alive, right here at home, in Ontario.
In search of this new kind of destination, we journeyed two-hours from Toronto to visit ReLive Retreat, a sustainable nature retreat located in the Grey Highlands of Ontario, Canada.
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The discovery
Here, nestled in unspoiled nature, we found an oasis where design doesn’t overshadow nature, it complements it. Built with care and intention, ReLive Retreat currently offers five onsite stays, with seven more exciting concepts to come, each as unique as the landscape that surrounds them. Here, guests are invited to experience nature not as a backdrop but as a co-creator of comfort, peace, and inspiration.
The experience
Immersed in 72 acres of beautiful protected lands, this powered-by-nature property has a diversity of landscapes for guests to explore. Scenic hiking trails wind gently through ReLive’s forests, wetlands, and meadows, revealing thoughtfully placed reflection spots along the way. A swaying hammock, shared wood-fired sauna and forest bath and outdoor lounges with picturesque views are just a few examples of these peaceful gems. A tranquil wilderness, guests are quietly reminded that luxury can mean connection or a safe space to breathe.
The Vision
In 2012, owners John Parker and Milena Vujanovic Parker set out on an adventure that would change their lives forever. Their vision: to create a space where nature and architecture respectfully conjoin. An escape where guests and their accommodations are immersed in the landscape that surrounds them. Unique in design, they envisioned a retreat that not only prioritised sustainability but ensured a low impact on the environment, without limiting architectural innovation. Thanks to Johnny and Milena’s mutual expertise in design and architecture, their dream began, and ReLive Retreat was born. A staycation idea for outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, or those just looking for a peaceful reprieve.
The Stays
A unique stay oasis, ReLive Retreat offers five one-of-a-kind nature cabins, each with its own distinct charm. From The Spruce Peak nestled among a white cedar coniferous forest, to The Dream Capsule with uninterrupted views of the stars, every space is designed with intention.
Minimal yet sophisticated these stays give tiny living a new meaning here in Ontario – spaces to reconnect and reflect throughout all the seasons. All accomodations offer private amenities to sleep, lounge, cook, eat, and bathe. In addition to the shared experiences, each unique stay has its own private fire pits, outdoor showers, and more.
Johnny and Milena share a deep respect for the environment and its resources and are influenced by design practices, like biomimicry, to guide their developments. And as a result, the land helps choose the location and inspires the design of each new space.
The Design
The architectural structures at ReLive Retreat are the embodiment of Milena and Johnny’s vision. The towering 27-foot Spruce Peak A-Frame, for example, mirrors the trees with which it resides. Stretching above the canopy, this exposed Douglas Fir timber-frame embraces its perfectly positioned home. Centred in a triangle of 3 majestic spruce trees, the A-Frame faces east/west, allowing both natural air currents and the sun and moons lighting to flow through. This thoughtful positioning reduces the need for man-made alternatives.
Johnny and Milena shared that the foundations are all above ground, screwed into the land with zero impact on the environment. And with minimal waste in mind, they utilised leftover construction materials, such as cut-offs from timbers, to build outdoor lounge chairs and other decor touches. Each stay at Relive Retreat is a reflection of the nature that surrounds them that emphasising an interconnection and respect for all of creation.
The Future
Milena and Johnny are as warm and welcoming as the designs they create. When asked what they have in mind for the next steps, they shared:
“All of our future designs will embrace nature and will be unique on their own. They will have their own pocket of land to belong within and will have the best current nature systems integrated for amenities and utilities. And they will embrace rhythms of built form. From the sphere, to the triangle, to the honeycomb, and beyond. Forms within nature, that radiated out into patterns that create unique expressions, shapes, forms, colours and full experiences.”
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The retreat is more than a getaway – the reawakening of local escape at Re-Live Retreat in an invitation to slow down and disconnect. It’s an opportunity to support local and highlight sustainable travel for our future and we can’t wait to return as each new chapter of the vision unfolds.
About the author: Jennifer Logan
cultivatetraveling.com | @cultivatetraveling
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Jennifer is a freelance writer, former columnist and digital creator from the Greater Toronto Area. She is the travel expert on the TV show Inside Durham where she shares ideas and tips about unique stays, airline travel, bucket list adventures and more!
Jennifer enjoys speaking at conferences/ events about travel and social media and has a social media community of over 85, 000 across multiple platforms. She was also recent finalist for the prestigious Bessie Award “Collaboration of the Year.” a reflection of her dedication to her craft.
A licensed drone pilot and scuba certified Jennifer enjoys sharing travel from a variety of perspectives to inspire others to live life to its fullest.
